This post was updated July 7 at 6:57 p.m.

In the newest season of “The Bear,” almost every second counts.

The third season of FX’s Emmy-winning comedy-drama, which premiered Wednesday, cooks up another round of character studies served alongside the show’s pressure cooker theme of striving for perfection. The 10 episodes are as stressful as ever – it seems as if the characters spend a lot of time either yelling or swearing at one another – but make viewers feel like they’ve been dropped right in between Carmy (Jeremy Allen White) and Sydney (Ayo Edebiri) as they scramble to make their restaurant a Chicago success. Even though the restaurant was transformed from a classic sandwich spot into a Michelin star candidate last season, Carmy’s single-minded obsession with crafting an unparalleled menu has audiences questioning whether he’s destined to drive away both profits and partners.

“Tomorrow,” the season’s opening episode, looks more to the past than the future, drifting beyond the consequences of Carmy’s breakdown in the walk-in fridge last season that squandered his relationship with his former girlfriend Claire (Molly Gordon) and put him at odds with his “cousin” Richie (Ebon Moss-Bachrach). Instead, the episode delivers a mostly dialogue-free series of flashbacks set to meditative music that feel like a welcomed dive into Carmy’s subconscious.

While the montage doesn’t reveal anything particularly new about the troubled chef, it sets the tone for upcoming episodes. Unlike the past two seasons, this season isn’t about new developments. Rather, it hones in on its slice-of-life depiction of the culinary scene and its deconstructions of the characters’ complicated personal lives. At this point, “The Bear” trusts its audience enough to slow down and allow the characters to simmer.

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Once again, the series hits its stride with the episodes that break from the overarching plot, allowing the supporting characters to control the narrative and giving audiences a glimpse of life outside of Carmy and the restaurant. This season, sous-chef Tina (Liza Colón-Zayas) is followed in the flashback episode “Napkins,” which chronicles her demoralizing job hunt that leads to her being hired at the restaurant, while the episode “Ice Chips” depicts the tense reconciliation between Carmy’s sister Natalie (Abby Elliott) and their mother Donna (Jamie Lee Curtis) while she’s in labor in the hospital.

These episodes don’t reach the highs of last season’s focus on Carmy’s disastrous family dinner in “Fishes” or Richie slowly gaining a sense of purpose in “Forks.” However, “The Bear” clearly understands the importance of examining the nuances of each character – especially the ones that can get pushed to the side. In this season, everyone in the series is granted a distinctive complexity that makes them feel like real people.

That being said, the season occasionally gets caught up in character development, spending too much time on familiar-faced guests such as Olivia Colman, Will Poulter and – somewhat surprisingly – John Cena. Most of these additions are well-written and beautifully portrayed, but Carmy, Sydney and the rest of the primary characters who make up the heart of the story could use some of that time to flesh out the plotlines they deserve.

Still, there are guests on this season of “The Bear” who warrant the spotlight – specifically the ones who aren’t actors. The inclusion of real-life chefs in minor roles is more prevalent this season, and it’s not only a moving touch but a choice that truly works. In the season three finale “Forever,” the tender moment between restaurateur Thomas Keller, playing himself, and Carmy is heartfelt and organic. In the same episode, Carmy and Sydney listen to other chefs share moments from their career: a delightful addition that features a variety of culinary stars. In this case, it feels like the audience is watching real chefs – because they are.

The finale reminds viewers of some of the built-up trauma that has been motivating Carmy from the start, as he finally confronts David (Joel McHale), the abusive chef he worked under in New York City. While his former boss’ face has repeatedly flashed hurling insults on-screen during Carmy’s intrusive thoughts, the chef claims he turned Carmy from just “OK” to “excellent.” After over a season of Carmy terrorizing his own kitchen staff, audiences get to see him realize he’s become the very person who’s been haunting him, signaling that perhaps the next season has some changes in store for the show’s distressed lead.

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Though this season set aside plot in favor of its characters, the finale hinted at new directions for the show to take on in the future. Sydney’s decision on whether she should leave the restaurant for a partnership where she actually has creative control is still incoming. Also, with the Chicago Tribune’s seemingly mixed review and Carmy’s missed calls from the restaurant’s benefactor Jimmy (Oliver Platt), the question of whether the restaurant’s funding will be pulled lingers. Either way, the final beats of this episode were shaped by a poignant and well-crafted season of television that places its characters first and leaves audiences eager for what’s next.

With another captivating expansion to its authentic and raw narrative, “The Bear” is one of the best shows on TV – it’s nonnegotiable.